Pertussis (whooping Cough) Flashcards
Transmission of whooping cough
Resp secretions (direct/indirect)
Most contagious during catarrhal stage
Catarrhal stage s/s
Resp symptoms(runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, mild cough)
Low grade fever
Last 1-2 weeks
Paroxysmal stage s/s
Burst of numerous rapid coughs
Sudden inspirations creating high pitched “whoop”
Cheeks become flushed or cyanotic
Eyes may bulge/tongue protrudes
May continue until thick mucous plug dislodged
Vomiting
Exhaustion
More common at night
Last 4-6 wks
Convalescent stage
Coughing gradually stops
Single cough may continue
Paroxysmal cough may return
Last 2-3 weeks
During the convalescent stage what can be possible?
If they get any kind of cold or resp infection they can revert back to paroxysmal stage.
What is the secondary bacterial infection that can be caught during whooping cough
Pneumonia
Pneumonia
Common complication of whooping cough usual cause of death in younger children
What neurological complications can happen
Seizures or encephalopathy
Potential pressure effects of paroxysms
Nose bleeds, subdural hematoma, hernia, rectal prolapse
What complications can be caused in adolescents
Syncope, sleep disturbances, rib fractures, incontinence
Interventions
Continuous assessment of Resp status remain w child during coughing spells
Ensure adequate o2
Sunction prn
Reduce factors that promote cough
Small frequent meals
Droplet precautions
What do we sunction
Mucous plugs
How can we reduce factors that promote coughing
Reduce fussiness which leads to talking , talking leads to more coughing so we want to prevent that
Why should we only feed the child small frequent meals during whooping cough ?
Because if they tummy is full more than likely they’ll vomit.
What happens when child vomits
Wait a few minutes to let them recover which does not take long and then re feed them
